The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion aims to engage with students, staff, faculty, administrators, alumni and the surrounding community to co-create and sustain a diverse, inclusive and welcoming campus. 

Who we are

Donyale R. Padgett, Ph.D.

Donyale R. Padgett is an educator and communications professional with 20 years of progressive industry experience and over 15 years of teaching experience at the college level. In addition to her role as Interim Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion / Chief Diversity Officer, Donyale is a WSU Associate Professor of Diversity, Culture, and Communication in the Department of Communication where she has worked since 2002. She has been an active partner in institutional diversity at Wayne since 2015 as a member of the GRAD Taskforce. She was also appointed in 2020 by President Wilson to lead one of seven workgroups as part of his Social Justice Action Committee (SJAC).

Dr. Padgett describes herself as a “Scholar/Practitioner”. She has published numerous articles in academic journals and presents her work at regional and national conferences. Much of her research focuses on issues of race and culture within the context of crisis communication. Her most recent work is a focus group study of the factors that contribute to low consent rates among underrepresented populations on the organ donor registry and the communication strategies necessary to bridge this gap. Dr. Padgett is also a very active practitioner, a sought-after trainer and speaker on topics of diversity and inclusion and works with leaders across industry to help them create more inclusive spaces and improve communication with diverse stakeholders. Dr. Padgett holds a doctorate degree from Howard University in rhetoric and intercultural communication. She also holds a master’s degree in organizational communication/public relations and a bachelor’s degree in journalism – both from Wayne State University.

Alex Boesch (he, him, his) directs educational and strategic initiatives coming out of Wayne State University's Office of DEI. In this role, he provides vision and leadership for the development, implementation and evaluation of activities that enhance awareness, understanding and integration of diversity, equity, inclusion and intercultural competence. This involves partnering with staff and faculty across campus to create opportunities for reflection, dialogue and action related to a variety of inclusive practices including inclusive leadership, implicit bias education, intergroup dialogues and intercultural competency. 

Alex has been working in higher education for nearly a decade. Prior to joining Wayne State, he worked in the Division of Student Life at the University of Michigan, where he supervised a team of professional and student staff charged with creating inclusive residential communities. In his time at U-M, Alex became an Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) qualified administrator. He has also worked at the University of Vermont, where he facilitated DEI and restorative practices workshops for staff and students, served on a presidential commission for inclusive excellence, implemented affinity learning groups, and led racial justice retreats

Alex is a doctoral student in Eastern Michigan University's educational leadership Ph.D. program. He holds a master of education from the University of Vermont and a bachelor of science from Loyola University Chicago. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, exercising and catching up with friends. 

Jacqueline (Jacqui) Williams (she, her, hers)

Administrative Assistant

Jacqui Monique serves as the Administrative Assistant for the Office of Multicultural Student Engagement and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI). Concurrently, she is pursuing her degree in education with a strong focus on her passion for teaching children and advocating for parental and family support. She actively participates in Sister Friends of Detroit, a mentoring initiative for young and new mothers. As a proud mother herself, Jacqui initiated homeschooling for her two college-aged children at the age of three. In her leisure time, Jacqui indulges in various hobbies including reading historical romance novels, writing poetry, tending to her garden, engaging in ballroom dancing, sewing, and providing care for elderly family members and friends. Known for her perpetual smile, Jacqui is always ready to offer assistance to those in need. Jacqui's outlook on life is encapsulated in her favorite quote by Michelle Obama: "Am I good enough? Yes, I am!"